Purple Lipstick

Its getting pretty close to the end of the term and that means exam time is almost here :( Its also crazy to think that in a month the holidays will be here and you won't get to see you besties quite as often. This leaves you with a dilemma, how do you make time for both your friends and your studies? Fortunately,  here are 5 easy ways you can get organized and start living the awesome life you deserve :) Lets get to it then!

1. Get a Planner!

Whether that means picking up a colorful notebook from Art Attack or grabbing an extra exercise book from home, having a planner is essential. I like to write down all the things I need to accomplish that week, including the time I want to hang out with friends, on a Saturday afternoon. Try to set an exact date and time, that way it can become a habit and you'll feel uneasy every time you don't do it. Ooooh, a hot cup of tea and some good music makes this a lot easier, and you'll even end up looking forward to it ;)

2. Work Ahead... Don't Wait till Last Minute

This can seem really hard sometimes, but I'm telling you doing this can save you a tonne of stress and time in the end. If you're teacher gives you a syllabus, try to work a few days ahead of it. That way you have more time to ask questions, if you're confused and also if you slack off on a certain day you're not too worried about it. If you're too far into the term and you feel like its too late to do this it isn't. Skip out on your hour of instagram scrolling or that episode of Suits for the next two or three nights and focus on getting ahead! Trust me it'll pay off come exam time.

3. Motivate Yo' Self by Treating Yo' Self


Yaaas! My favorite part of this process! If you want to do better at staying focused you need to motivate yourself. There are two ways I like to do this. Firstly, if I've just spent the afternoon studying, I'll make sure that right after I have something tasty to eat (I'm currently obsessed with bananas, honey and toast...healthy and so yummy!) You can also make sure you time you're studies so that maybe 30 minutes after you're done you can watch your favorite T.V. show (try not to have it right after so you don't feel rushed.)   Secondly, at the end of the week try to plan a get together with your friends. This will give you something to look forward to on the weekends and you'll have a way to celebrate reaching your weekly goals. Coffee dates, youth group and wandering around the flea market  are relaxing options for things to do on the weekends. If you're looking for something more exciting pass by a rugby game or planning a hike at Dombos :)

4. Learn From Your Mistakes


This is so important when you're trying to do well in an exam. If you didn't do well in a particular section on a test, don't just shrug it off, dedicate an entire night to it! Concepts don't disappear, they usually build on each other so make sure you don't sweep anything under the rug. If you have a friend that's really good in a subject that you're weak in ask them to explain it to you after lunch. If none of your friends understand  or explain it well enough, go to your teacher and let them know you're lost. It probably won't seem super important at the time but you'll have a better understanding of the subject in no time

5. Get Involved in After School Activities

Finally, something I've noticed is that the busier I am the more driven I become. Try to join a sports team or school club, if you can't do that get involved in your local church. Being part of a team will improve your character and also improve your social skills ;) Keep yourself moving but make sure not to over do it. Everything in moderation, don't  work yourself too much, you also need some time to rest.

I really hope these tips help you! Let us know if you'd like more tips like this and we'll get on it :) Good luck!

xoxo
Marly

Last year was a pretty crazy year for me. I went through a lot of changes and said way too many goodbyes. Relationships mean the world to me, so I try to make them as deep and concentrated as I possibly can (this is one of the reasons I hate texting people. Its so hard to connect with someone when you can't look into their eyes or squeeze their hand, ugh!) Anyway, when I feel like I'm losing touch with a friend, my heart feels like its being torn apart. Last year it felt like it was ripped to shreds. I remember listening to a mix CD that one of my friends had made me as a goodbye present and crying my eyes out because I felt so sad. Leaving people you care about can be a tough thing! (*before I go on, if any of you are going through something similar, it gets better and you end up with a warm everglow of gratefulness for the friendships you had :))

For some reason, during times of turmoil I tend to become extremely introspective and reflect on some of life's greater themes (I hope I'm not alone in this.) The August winds carried along with them thoughts of my existence and purpose. One of my goals in life is to provide people in under served communities access to world class health care and treatments. You're probably thinking, woah Marly, that's pretty noble! Well, the fact that I can think about your response and feel better about myself, immediately counteracts that and makes me question my motives. Is my internal compass actually just a feel good tank, leading towards whatever can fill it up? Why do I feel like this is something I'm supposed to do? I'm not entirely sure. Some part of me recognizes that I'm selfish and that I enjoy being affirmed, but I don't think that's the true reason, at least I hope its not. I remember sitting on my bed, thinking, even if I go on to complete my goal, will it be enough to satisfy me? Why do people go into business or art or ministry? Is it just because they are good at it? Is that enough of a reason to spend your life on something? The questions are endless, "a chasing after the wind."  

 St. Augustine writes "Our hearts are restless, until they find rest in you." Our purpose (I think) is outside of our current disposition. C.S Lewis writes "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.' Yes, I think thats part of it! There is something within me that knows that it is not enough for me to do good, maybe have a family and develop a career. I yearn for something intangible, something I cannot see. Although this is true... what then am I doing here on earth then? An answer that gave me some sort of peace was brought up in Westminster a really long time ago. A group of "divines" got together and wrote what we know today as the Catechism. In this they all agree that man's chief end (purpose) is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever." I think that a lot of the stuff we have in our hearts is stuff that was put there by God for His glory. The Bible even talks about us eating and drinking for His glory. What does that look like? Biting into a cheesy slice of pizza and thanking God for the ability to taste such goodness (#blessed). For me maybe that means trusting that my own desire to be glorified would be overshadowed by my need to glorify Him. Also choosing to do something I enjoy so that my appreciation is genuine and not out of obligation.

Aaah! I'm still trying to figure things out. My thoughts are based so much on my own circumstances and experiences, so they are definitely tainted and flawed. If you're trying to figure out your purpose, I would recommend you look for something that you thoroughly enjoy and check if it glorifies God too. Also know that you aren't the only one who hasn't figured it out. I'm still trying to get a clearer picture too.Oh and one last thing, my own version of the Catechism would mention love. The Bible says in Romans that he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Loving the people around you can lead you smack into the place you're supposed to be, that's how I ended up here ;) "...and these three things remain faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love."

xoxo
Love Always,
Marly <3
      

1. Push your shower as close to the middle of the day as you can. Waking up and immediately taking a shower is normally our go to routine before school/work/stuff but when the heat hits the way it's hitting right now, you might need to switch that up. Taking a shower gives your body a shock of temperature changes that will leave it cooled and woken up. Saving that shock for when its hottest in the day makes one heck of a difference. - tip: turn down the hot water: lukewarm if you're not a fan of cold showers. 2. Open up the window but keep the curtains closed. The Zimbabwe sun will light up anything it touches, so curtains closed is a smart way of keeping its fierce hands off of floors/furniture/skin. But stagnant air is probably the worst place to be in the heat. It creates that thick warmth that you cannot seem to escape from, not even sweat feels cool in stagnant heat. So open some your windows, and allow for the breeze to circulate. It'll cool you off and carry the heat of the room. 3. drink something hot. Hot drinks make the body activate its cooling mechanisms and since the drink is often hotter than your environment you'll cool down more than your body would see as necessary. 4. Get embarrassed. Adrenaline is the answer to most things. if you're so hot you can feel it in your bones, go do something that'll pump you up. A fun exercise, game, or show you like or something that gets you hyped. But if all else fails, embarrassing yourself tends to never fail... slipping in front of a group of good looking people from your school will almost always make you forget about the heat. 5. Sleep till its cooler. Sleep till its cooler... yup...

It's the weekend!!! If you are from gateway and took a raffle ticket with the number 7, 32 or 218 you WON!!! email us at wearepurplelipstick.blogspot.com or message us on Facebook or Instagram and let us know! Thank you Gateway for such an amazing time, we'll be seeing you soon <3🎉If you're from gateway and took a raffle ticket that has the number 7, 32 or 218 you WON!!! Message us to claim your prize smile emoticonLove Always 💜

Hey Gateway! Thanks for passing by the blog :)

We're giving away a gift bag and airtime to 3 people! We'll be back at your school next week to give the winners their prizes! We've selected 3 random numbers that we will announce on the Blog, Facebook page and Instagram on Friday. To be eligible to win the prizes, you must have liked our Facebook page, Purple Lipstick (if you can't find it, type in Purple Lipstick Harare). If you don't have a Facebook, comment down below with your name or DM us on Instagram (@wearepurplelipstick).
When the numbers are announced if you have the winning ticket inbox us or comment here letting us know :)

Thanks for hanging out with us girls! Your photo booth pictures will be up in a bit, tag yourself and your friends or share them onto your page ;)
Love Always,

-The PL Team

Valentines day can seem daunting for anyone who doesn't have a significant other. As someone whose dealt with the agony of February 14th's for what seems like centuries now, I can definitely relate. Fortunately, there are tonnes of things you can do to start feeling the love this V-day. I thought I 'd share 5 super simple ways you can treat yo' self this Sunday, and hopefully you'll be smelling the roses for days after!

1. Pamper Yourself

Wake up a little earlier in the morning and run yourself a nice, warm bath. Add some lavender, scented candles and relaxing music (some Bon Iver and Brooke Fraser are my recommendations) and you're basically in another world. Calming yourself is a great way to start the day and will immediately put you in a good mood.

2. Affirm Yourself

After sneaking out of the bathroom, slip into a fluffy bath robe and take some time to meditate. I like to grab my Bible and a daily devotional and think about Gods love. One of my favorite verses to read when I need a boost is Zephaniah 3:17. "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Knowing you are loved makes it easier to love others, whether they love you or not.

3. Eat the Cookie!

Valentines day is a great excuse to spoil yourself with something sweet. The list of treats you could make to warm up your insides is endless. A good idea would be to bake some cookies or brownies the night before. I've been trying to eat a lot healthier recently, and I was so surprised to find lots of delicious recipes! Try blending raw coco beans, coconut oil and some almond milk together. In a few minutes you'll have an amazing sugar free chocolate spread! Put it on some toasted bread and you're suddenly in heaven ;)

4. Surprise your friends and family with gifts

One of the best ways to feel great on a any day is to shower the people around you with love. Dash over to a craft store and make some personalized gifts. A colorful valentines day card accompanied by a bag of assorted goodies, is enough to make anyone swoon, and for a reasonable price too! Writing notes with words of encouragement is another way to make others feel loved, brightly colored note cards are great for this.

5. Love, don't compare!

Don't try to compare yourself to the people around you. Instead, look at them with love. Its such a great thing that there exists a day where people are appreciated and affirmed. There's an old hym that goes...

"Oh Master grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul."

This message is refreshing and inspiring, as it reminds us that in a world filled with selfishness, we get to choose to be selfless. In a world filled with emptiness we get to choose to pour our love out. Find someone who isn't being shown love and give as much as you can to them. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and you'll find you are more filled up than before!

I hope you enjoyed these tips! I know you're going to have an amazing Valentines day, but let me know how it goes anyway, and if these helped ;)

Love Always.
Marly
xoxo

 Ah! Thanks for coming by the blog, you'll be the first to visit our brand new YouTube Channel! Let us know what you think and if you caught Albert (founding member/tech) ranting. We appreciate your support so much! Love Always <3 The PL Team.

Most of my childhood was spent playing outside since we didn't have DSTV, and ZBC only ran cartoons for about 3 hours a day. During that time my siblings and I got most of our entertainment from Christian VCR tapes (yikes! throwback) and a bunch of 80's cartoons. When I was around 14 years old my dad walked into the house with a decoder. I was so excited I ended up spending the entire evening scrolling through the channels and taking it all in . I don't think I noticed anything different for a while, but by the next year I was nagging my mom to take me to get some new clothes. My jeans were too big and the plain t-shirts didn't look good. My lunch box was not exempt, it needed to be filled with chips and burgers, not polony sandwiches! I remember being in form 2 and waiting anxiously for the holidays so I could ditch my boring short hair and have long braids, just like Moesha. Even my personality got some tweaks. After watching a show called 'That's so Raven' I decided that I needed to be funnier and started thinking of ways to get people to laugh at my jokes.

Flash forward a couple of years and I was in form 4, getting ready to write my O'levels. The pressure was so heavy. I had recently seen a movie about a guy who managed to study really hard, get into an Ivy League college and  become a cardiovascular surgeon. He went on to become famous and everyone loved him. I wanted that, no I need that, to be loved and accepted. I had to get amazing test grades or my life would be awful.  As lower 6 crept up, I started to feel tired. Tired of trying to be everything I saw as valued on TV. Tired of dressing up like the princesses I saw on Disney channel, so that a prince would notice me. Tired of changing my personality so I would have lots of friends. Just plain and simply tired!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 not to worry about everyday life. He speaks directly to our earthly desires and reminds us that life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. I had to make a decision that day in lower 6 and everyday since to "seek first the kingdom of God." When we are so concerned with our hair, clothes, grades or anything else, we tend to forget the real meaning of life. My purpose in life does not change regardless of whether I have braids, a weave or my natural hair. We are designed to love God and love others, so when we focus on ourselves too much the lines start to get blurry. I've found that whatever I let influence me, whether that's the Kardashians, Mai Chisamba or even Ben Carson, affects what I value. I'm not saying don't work hard at school or wear clothes you don't like, but I am saying that in the grand scheme of things all of that stuff doesn't really matter as much as your relationship with God and others. This week try make an effort to love the people around you and spend time with the Creator. You'll be surprised at how much you start to love life!

xoxo
Love Always
Marlene <3

I'm so glad you could make it over to our page! Now that you're here you stand a chance of winning this delicious, gift bag, as well as an mp3 player. You can choose one of two things to do! Either leave a comment down below with your name, form and something you'd like to see on the blog. Or head over to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wearepurplelipstick/ ...like it and send us a message with the same info. That's it! If we like your suggestion best you'll be munching on something sweet and we'll mention you in our next blog post :) Good Luck and remember to Love Always!

Click on the Photo Booth Photos tab to find you and your friends :) You can also find your photos on our Facebook page (click the Facebook sign on the right of this page, or type in wearepurplelipstick in the search bar on Facebook)